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If you run a trade business — plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing, landscaping — most of your next customers start the same way: they type "electrician near me" into Google and call one of the first names they see. Getting your business into those results is called local SEO, and you don't need to be technical to get the basics right. Here's exactly what to do.

Start With a Google Business Profile (It's Free)

Before you worry about a website, claim your Google Business Profile at google.com/business. This is the listing that shows up in Google Maps and the "3-pack" of local businesses above the regular search results. For most trades, it's the single biggest driver of calls.

When you set it up:

• Choose the most specific primary category (e.g. "Emergency plumber" not just "Plumber"). Add secondary categories for other services.
• Set your service area — the towns and postcodes you actually cover.
• Add a real phone number, hours, and a link to your website.
• Upload 10+ photos of real jobs: before/after shots, your van, your team. Listings with photos get far more clicks than empty ones.

Fill out every field. Google rewards complete profiles, and customers trust them more.

Get Reviews — Consistently, Not Once

Reviews are the fuel of local ranking. A business with 40 reviews at 4.8 stars will almost always outrank a better tradesperson with 3 reviews. The trick is making it a habit, not a one-time push.

After every finished job, text the customer a direct link to leave a review (Google gives you a short link in your profile dashboard). Ask while you're still on-site and the work is fresh. Reply to every review — even a quick "Thanks, John, glad we sorted the leak fast" signals to Google that the profile is active and helps you look responsive to future customers.

Why You Still Need a Website

Your Google Business Profile gets you *found*. A website is what closes the deal. When someone is comparing three plumbers, they click through to see if you look legitimate: real photos, clear services, service areas, pricing hints, and an easy way to call or book.

A website also gives Google more to rank. Your profile can only say so much, but a site with a page for each service ("Boiler repair in Reading," "Bathroom installation in Reading") gives Google specific pages to match against specific searches. That's how you show up for the exact jobs you want.

You don't need a big custom build with a five-figure agency invoice. Tools have gotten good enough that a fast, professional site is now cheap to produce. Web2050, for example, builds custom sites using AI with a one-time setup from $150 plus a low monthly fee — so a small trade business can get a proper site without a huge upfront cost or DIY website-builder frustration.

Nail Your Name, Address, and Phone (NAP)

Google cross-checks your business details across the web. If your phone number or business name is written differently on Facebook, Yelp, your website, and your Google profile, it creates doubt about which is correct — and that hurts ranking.

Pick one exact format for your name, address, and phone number and use it identically everywhere. List your business on a few trusted directories (Yell, Checkatrade, Bing Places, your local trade association) with those same details.

Put Location and Service Words in Your Content

Google needs to understand *what* you do and *where*. On your website, use natural, specific language:

• Name the towns and neighbourhoods you serve on your homepage and service pages.
• Write page titles like "Emergency Electrician in Leeds — 24/7 Callouts."
• Add a short FAQ answering real customer questions (see below) — this helps you appear in Google's answer boxes and AI overviews.

Avoid keyword-stuffing. Write the way a customer would ask, and you'll naturally hit the terms they search.

Track What's Working

Once you're set up, check your Google Business Profile insights monthly. It shows how many people found you, how many called, and which search terms brought them in. If "emergency" searches drive most calls, lean into that in your content and photos.

FAQ

How long does local SEO take to work?

Your Google Business Profile can start driving calls within days of being verified. Website ranking builds over 2–3 months as Google indexes your pages and reviews accumulate.

Do I need a website if I have a Google Business Profile?

You can get calls from a profile alone, but a website converts far more of them into booked jobs and helps you rank for specific services.

How much should a trade website cost?

It varies, but you no longer need thousands. AI-built options like Web2050 start at a one-time setup from $150 plus a low monthly fee.

What's the fastest way to rank higher?

Get more genuine reviews and keep your profile complete and active. Those two moves outperform almost everything else for local trades.